A photograph reportedly taken in 1940 by British expatriate officer E.H. Duckworth (1894 – 1972) showcases a driver standing beside a Ford V8 ambulance (license A673), strategically parked in front of the entrance to the Nigerian Medical and Health Services building.
The featured Ford V8 ambulance, as captured in the image, bears the distinctive design of the era with three bars adorning the side of the hood (bonnet) and a spare tire positioned on the passenger’s side—a characteristic common to cars manufactured in the 1930s and 40s.
An excerpt from an advertisement by Joe Allen & Company Limited, accompanying the photograph, highlights the ambulance’s affiliation with the Lagos Police Headquarters and its readiness for immediate use day and night.
The advert emphasizes the need for a vehicle boasting supreme riding comfort, a powerful yet economical engine, and absolute reliability, endorsing the Ford V8 as the ideal choice for those seeking such qualities, be it for private or other purposes.
This prewar ambulance, captured in the lens of E.H. Duckworth’s camera, served its purpose by transporting patients to the nearest medical facility.
In stark contrast to contemporary ambulances equipped with Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) providing on-site trauma and surgical services, this historical Ford V8 ambulance represented an era when medical transportation relied on a different set of capabilities.
The image itself is part of the extensive “E.H. Duckworth Photograph Collection,” which houses over 12,000 photographs documenting Nigeria from 1930 to 1970.
Through this lens, viewers gain a glimpse into the historical landscape and technological features of the time, with the Ford V8 ambulance standing as a testament to the evolution of emergency medical services.